And you don't need to wait for a picture-perfect day to explore the seaside settlement either, because the sight of bent-over macrocarpa trees can only be truly appreciated during a howling wet southerly.
Located just 10 minutes' drive from the picturesque town of Riverton on the Orepuki-Riverton Highway (State Highway 99), Colac Bay was always a favourite day-trip destination from my hometown of Invercargill.
That 10 minutes is important to note, because that is the time you had to eat your ice-cream as the Toyota Corona hurtled towards Colac Bay, usually at the same pace the sky began to close in.
Slurping the boysenberry ice-cream and careful not to drip anything on the beige upholstery, my older brother and I would race to finish our treats before we got out of the car, or the wind (note: not the sun) would finish it for us.
Now a popular surfing spot complete with its own big surfer statue, Colac Bay was then just a place for skimming stones, throwing a ball around, and "it will make a man of you" swims.
It was at Colac Bay where I witnessed the goosebump-inducing sight of thousands of Titi (muttonbird) flying overhead and turning the blue sky black.
It was at Colac Bay where I once threw some Brut 33 out of a car window after my friend emptied a large percentage of the aerosol into the car. I feel a bit bad about that and wonder if a small part of the area still smells like the deodorant.
It was the name Colac Bay which jumped out at me while reading an obituary on Victoria Cross winner, Jack Hinton, in a London newspaper in 1997.
Hinton was born in the small Southland settlement, and was as famous for his colourful language as his heroic deeds on the battlefield.
The town has changed quite a bit since Hinton's day, the smattering of cribs is being slowly joined by larger developments, as the surf and sea draw cash-rich townies looking for their own Southern paradise.
Like its northern seaside counterparts, the town now even boasts its own upmarket cafe and restaurant, joining the pub as a wet weather option for the travellers looking to stay dry but quench their thirst at the same time.
When the weather clears, grab the surfboard and try your luck at the "trees" or have a swim while looking at Stewart Island in the distance, and keep an eye out for the odd Southern Right whale, which are often sighted in the area.
If you are camping at the local caravan park, then you will find just a few minutes down the road at Cosy Nook, a quirky collection of colourful fishing huts with memorable names such as the "Polyfilla Villa".
Further west on 99 is the stunning Te Wae Wae Bay, where gold was once found at Orepuki, the small Monkey Island which is reachable at low tide, and Gemstone Beach, where as the name suggests you can find items such as garnet and even sapphires.
So while this stunning part of Western Southland is being increasingly discovered by a large number of overseas tourists, many New Zealanders remain oblivious to its charms.
For the sake of posterity, I hope that continues . . .
